A pessary is a vaginal suppository used to kill sperm and/or block their passage through the cervix. It’s one of the oldest contraceptive devices, having been used for over 3,000 years in various cultures. Ancient pessaries were often made from animal feces (crocodile in Egypt, elephant in India), along with a honey, ground up fruit and bark. Once inserted, the pessary would melt at body temperature and form an impenetrable covering on the cervix.